Lot 5529

Description

Portugal, WWI, Army steel helmet, a rare example of the pattern introduced in 1916 and fielded in the western front by Portuguese soldiers, styled on British private purchase helmets introduced just prior to 1916, with nearly all its original khaki painted finish, with original basic liner, wool material lining, leather sweatband held in place by threaded cord through holes near the flare of the bowl, original leather chinstrap. Some service and age wear to chinstrap, overall extremely fine and rare.

The Portuguese example was made of mild steel and offered little protection during battle. The Portuguese pattern is very distinctive having a thin fluted bowl with large air vents reinforced with washers.